Saxenda belongs to a group of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists because they resemble and mimic the action of human GLP-1 hormone (incretin hormone). They are also known as incretin mimetics. It is an injectable drug that reduces blood glucose by increasing insulin production by the pancreas, slows the absorption of glucose from the gut, and reduces the activity of glucagon (a hormone that increases the release of glucose from the liver). Saxenda controls appetite by reducing the feeling of hunger. It also delays the emptying of food from the stomach and increases the feeling of fullness. This results in weight loss.

Saxenda is a higher dose of Victoza and it is used for weight management. It is not approved for treating diabetes.

What does Saxenda treat?

Saxenda is used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in obese adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater or overweight adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater who have at least one weight-related risk factor such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol (dyslipidemia).